Ireland’s gas and oil have been the subject of much debate since the 1970s when many people thought Ireland was on the brink of a Norwegian type oil adventure, sparking hopes for new industries and economic growth. Dreams of strong health, education and welfare systems funded by Irish hydrocarbons inspired many people while others were concerned with the possible profits accruing from oil and gas exploitation offshore Ireland.

The reality of Ireland’s gas and oil experience has been quite different with only four commercial gas discoveries brought into production (Kinsale Head, Ballycotton and Seven Heads off the Cork coast and the Corrib gas field off the Mayo coast). Gas has been produced from the Kinsale gas field (and satellite fields) since 1978 and the Corrib gas project was brought on stream in late December 2015, nearly 13 years later than anticipated, after a protracted and devastating conflict.

As a microcosm of the Irish state’s approach to hydrocarbon exploitation, the Corrib gas conflict revealed serious issues within the Irish state’s model of gas and oil management and created questions that drove the PhD research project underpinning this website and Gas, oil and the Irish state.

Ireland’s gas and oil is a work in progress and will make regular contributions to the debate on Irish gas and oil.